Raising calamondin as a bonsai

Here's how to properly water the mini orange

Regular watering with lime-free water is a top gardener duty if you successfully maintain your calamondin bonsai. Put the room warm water directly on the root disc as soon as the substrate has dried. This is required more often during the warm summer time than in winter. The citrus plant reacts to waterlogging and dryness by shedding leaves.

Balanced fertilization of calamondin as a bonsai - this is how it works

Give a liquid weekly from May to August Citrus fertilizer into the irrigation water. The nitrogen it contains keeps growth going. Phosphorus supports the formation of flowers and fruits. In winter, the nutrient supply continues at a low level by going from September to April fertilize every 4 weeks.

If you water your calamondin with normal tap water, the impending iron deficiency should be prevented with special fertilizers. To do this, switch to ferramin or a similar iron chelate fertilizer every fourth fertilizer.

Instructions for the perfect bonsai cut

Cutting is a double-edged sword on the calamondin bonsai. Without a cut, the wood only branches very cautiously. If there is extensive pruning, the volume of flowers and fruits is reduced. How to cut with expertise:

• Allow the new shoots to appear after flowering except for 3 to 4 pairs of leaves
• Then shorten the shoots down to 1 or 2 pairs of leaves
• If necessary, trim moderately at the end of wintering in March
• Thinning out dead branches and water shoots

In addition, you can wire the bonsai from April / May to August / September to give it the shape you want. Calamondins are excellent for styles like Moyogi (free, upright shape) and Hokidachi (broom shape). Shakan, the inclined shape, is also conceivable. However, there is a risk that your bonsai will tip over if there are numerous fruit hangings.